8/5 Casey AMPS~199 +5.75~206 +7.5~202 PMPS~211 +3~181

[my Casey bear]

http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=49212

Hi everyone,

Today we had a difficult time testing again. I think she doesn't like getting her ears pricked, but associates the discomfort with the meter. I usually don't have a problem pricking her ear, yet is very resistant to my collecting it for the test. The AM +12.75 was very stressful for the both of us. We had to try a few times (wasted a test strip), I got frustrated, and she stressed out. She was not a happy camper, she even stopped purring. I hate making her ears pin cushions and I can afford test strips, let alone wasting them. I am running low on strips, but felt we needed to do another test after we both calmed down for 2 reasons: the +12.75 was not a true reading, and I had not taken a test in the +7-+9 range since we started her on insulin. What a relief, even though she did not want to do it, we got it the first try and she did pur for me.

A little while after the AM +7.5 test, Casey did come up on my lap purring like crazy. (Our test spot and cuddle spot are one in the same.)

Anyway, here are today's info:

8/5
AMPS~190
Put down 4.5oz can FF Free Feed - I started w/half a can from last night, she ate most of it, so I put another can in her dish
6th cycle ~ 1.0u
+5.75~206
+7.5~202
PMPS~211
Put down most of the can of 9 Lives (I think it is a 5.5oz can)
7th cycle ~ 1.0u
put out the rest of the 9 Lives can
+3~181

Roberta
and Casey

 

[julie & punkin (ga)]

Re: 8/5 Casey AMPS~199 +5.75~206 +7.5~202

you're doing great roberta!

can't remember if anyone suggested this to you yet, but the neosporin ointment with pain relief is a huge help. sometimes we put it on overnight to help punkin's ears recover by the next morning. i tried it on cat scratches on myself and you wouldn't believe what a difference it makes.

you have to wipe off most of it before testing, though, or it will goo up the test strip.

punkin is super reactive to the strip coming up on his ear too. you get the perfect little poke and a nice drop of blood wells up, and then JUST as you get the meter and strip by his ear, he flicks it. causing you to look like a crime scene on NCIS. :lol: one suggestion someone gave me is that if you can get the drop onto your fingernail, you can test it from there.

also, are you getting test strips online yet? there are several places that we all buy from and it's a fraction of the instore cost. i use American Diabetes Wholesale and go through mrrebates.com for an extra 8% rebate. lots of people buy them on ebay also. i used to use Hocks.com as well.

 

[Sandy and Black Kitty]

Re: 8/5 Casey AMPS~199 +5.75~206 +7.5~202

Looking good around here!

With time the poking will get easier. With BK I thought there was no way I could test him. When we started it took 2 of us to do it, and BK would growl and hiss and snap at us. It was nerve jangling. The next milestone was testing him solo...
With time, and plenty of Halo freeze dried chicken treats, it got to the point where BK would come right to our testing spot.

You are doing great! You'll get there.

 

[my Casey bear]

Re: 8/5 Casey AMPS~199 +5.75~206 +7.5~202

you're doing great roberta!

can't remember if anyone suggested this to you yet, but the neosporin ointment with pain relief is a huge help. sometimes we put it on overnight to help punkin's ears recover by the next morning. i tried it on cat scratches on myself and you wouldn't believe what a difference it makes.

you have to wipe off most of it before testing, though, or it will goo up the test strip.

punkin is super reactive to the strip coming up on his ear too. you get the perfect little poke and a nice drop of blood wells up, and then JUST as you get the meter and strip by his ear, he flicks it. causing you to look like a crime scene on NCIS. :lol: one suggestion someone gave me is that if you can get the drop onto your fingernail, you can test it from there.

also, are you getting test strips online yet? there are several places that we all buy from and it's a fraction of the instore cost. i use American Diabetes Wholesale and go through mrrebates.com for an extra 8% rebate. lots of people buy them on ebay also. i used to use Hocks.com as well.

I have been using the Neosporen + pain...but I have been applying it before I test, I apply and message it in, kinda rub/play with her ears a little, then give her the prick. (Is it wrong to apply it before?) That part often goes ok, except sometimes she quickly puts her paw over the ear wiping the blood away. :roll: The fun really begins when I reach for the meter...then the game of "catch it if you can" starts. lol (yes, I am laughing now because we had 2 good tests since our last episode) I tried the fingernail a couple times before with out success, but maybe I will have to try again (I only have one good hand, the other is mostly a "helping" hand.) ...at first I had held the lance and the meter at the same time, but at that point we were both getting used to testing so it was difficult to hold both and try to keep her head still while trying to prick her ear. Maybe I should try that again too, now that she sits a little easier.

I had shopped around online, but at that time I needed them sooner than they would have arrived by mail. It is still difficult when I barely have enough money to put gas in my car right now...I had been looking for a different and/or additional job to help pay bills before, but put it on hold until Casey and I get settled with this diabetes. I know I will manage to get some somehow. Was planning to look online again tonight.

Well, so much for a simple response. :lol: Thank you for the tips, I..we.. appreciate it very much!!

Roberta
and Casey

 

[my Casey bear]

Re: 8/5 Casey AMPS~199 +5.75~206 +7.5~202

Looking good around here!

With time the poking will get easier. With BK I thought there was no way I could test him. When we started it took 2 of us to do it, and BK would growl and hiss and snap at us. It was nerve jangling. The next milestone was testing him solo...
With time, and plenty of Halo freeze dried chicken treats, it got to the point where BK would come right to our testing spot.

You are doing great! You'll get there.

:lol: You too??? You are right it will get easier. As for the treats, I tried lot of them, but that became more trouble because she would not wait for them, she squirmed even more looking for them...like, "ok, here I am, so where are they mom??? Oh, no, I don't want to do that, just give me the treats." Anyway, her sitting still has gotten better, her accepting the ear pricks had too, and we are still working on the collecting part.

Thanks for sharing your story,

Roberta
and Casey

 

[julie & punkin (ga)]

Re: 8/5 Casey AMPS~199 +5.75~206 +7.5~202 PMPS~211

it took 2 of us at first, too. it does get better. i figured i'd made it when i tested punkin by myself and while i was talking on the phone! what a change from the beginning!

if i were you i think i'd try slathering on lots of the neosporin about 20 minutes or more before you're testing - or the night before last thing. then just leave it on unless there's a goo-some amount when you're ready to test. at that point wipe off 98% of it. if you look at the directions it sounds like you should be fairly generous with it. i'd give it more time to work than just right when you're going to test. it also seemed like it worked for a long time on my foot, so i don't think i'd do it more than once a day.

we put a slathering bunch on after the last test at night and it's basically gone by morning. see if that helps.

oh and the treat - you definitely want to give a treat. just do the testing first, always in "the testing spot" that doesn't change, then go to the kitchen and get a treat. casey will get the idea he has to go through the test first and then go for the treat.

 

[Sandy and Black Kitty]

we are still working on the collecting part.

I have a goose neck desk lamp that I've set up at our testing spot to shine right on BKs ear . It helps warm his ear up a bit and helps me see better!
Oh and he actually drools while being tested now - he knows there will be the treat afterwards!

eta - It's looking really nice in this new condo of yours, I really like what you've done with the place. . . :razz:

 

[Marje and Gracie]

Hi Roberta:

It will get easier and you'll get your own "method" down that works for you and the lovely Miss Casey cat. She's looking good tonight!!